January 8, 2011

Kanter ruled ineligible by NCAA for 2nd time

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Kentucky freshman center Enes Kanter has been ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA for a second time.

The NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee on Friday upheld an earlier NCAA decision that deemed Kanter received more than $33,000 in impermissible benefits while playing for a Turkish club team two years ago.

The ruling means Kanter will not be able to play, practice or travel with the team but will be able to receive financial aid should he choose to remain at Kentucky.

Kentucky coach John Calipari says he's disappointed in the decision. Calipari, who maintained from the beginning that Kanter is an amateur in his eyes, says his job now is to prepare Kanter for the NBA draft.